Display control apparatus, display control method, and program

ABSTRACT

Provided are a display control apparatus, a display control method, and a program that enable developers to implement application programs without needing to be aware of a safe area. An image acquisition section ( 42 ) acquires an image that is drawn in a frame buffer by an application program. A safe area setting specification section ( 44 ) specifies the setting of a safe area in a display section. An image generation section ( 48 ) generates a display target image including, as a part, the image sized according to the setting of the safe area. A display control section ( 50 ) causes the display section to display the display target image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display control apparatus, a displaycontrol method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

Due to overscan, common displays, such as TV sets, occasionally fail todisplay edges of a display target image. Therefore, developers of anapplication program, such as a game, need to be aware of a safe areawhen implementing the application program so as to ensure thatinformation to be displayed in the safe area is displayed even ifoverscan occurs. Further, as a size of the safe area varies from onedisplay to another, it is difficult to achieve implementation fordisplaying proper images on all displays by considering the applicationprogram alone.

SUMMARY Technical Problem

However, it is problematic to perform implementation while being awareof the safe area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.An object of the present invention is to provide a display controlapparatus, a display control method, and a program that enable thedevelopers to implement application programs without needing to be awareof the safe area.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, a display control apparatusaccording to the present invention includes an image acquisitionsection, a specification section, an image generation section, and adisplay control section. The image acquisition section acquires an imagethat is drawn in a frame buffer by an application program. Thespecification section specifies setting of a safe area in a displaysection. The image generation section generates a display target imagethat includes, as a part, the image sized according to the setting. Thedisplay control section causes the display section to display thedisplay target image.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the image generationsection generates the display target image that is obtained bysuperimposing a first image and a second image. The first image is sizedaccording to the setting and drawn in a first frame buffer. The secondimage is drawn in a second frame buffer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the imagegeneration section exercises control in accordance with an instructionreceived from the application program so as to determine whether or notto generate the display target image including, as a part, the imagesized according to the setting.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the imagegeneration section exercises control in accordance with the receivedinstruction so as to determine whether or not to generate the displaytarget image including, as a part, the image sized according to thesetting. The image generation section generates the display target imagethat is obtained by superimposing a first image and a second image. Thefirst image is based on an image that is drawn in a first frame bufferby a first application program. The second image is based on an imagethat is drawn in a second frame buffer by a second application program.Irrespective of whether or not to generate the display target imageincluding, as a part, the image sized according to the setting, theimage generation section places the first image having a given size at agiven position in the display target image. Depending on whether or notto generate the display target image including, as a part, the imagesized according to the setting, the image generation section changes aregion where pixels of the first image in the display target image arereflected.

A display control method according to the present invention includes thesteps of acquiring an image that is drawn in a frame buffer by anapplication program, specifying setting of a safe area in a displaysection, generating a display target image that includes, as a part, theimage sized according to the setting, and causing the display section todisplay the display target image.

A program according to the present invention causes a computer toexecute procedures for acquiring an image that is drawn in a framebuffer by an application program, specifying setting of a safe area in adisplay section, generating a display target image that includes, as apart, the image sized according to the setting; and causing the displaysection to display the display target image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of anentertainment system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of anentertainment apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawn image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display target image.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating example functions ofthe entertainment apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example flow of processingperformed by the entertainment apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the drawn image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the drawn image.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display target image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display targetimage.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an upper image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lower image.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of aplacement region.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display targetimage.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example placement ofthe lower image in the display target image.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display targetimage.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example placement ofthe lower image in the display target image.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of anentertainment system 10 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration ofan entertainment apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the entertainment system 10 according to thepresent embodiment includes the entertainment apparatus 12, a display14, and a controller 16.

The entertainment apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment is acomputer such as a game console, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player,or a Blu-ray (registered trademark) player. The entertainment apparatus12 according to the present embodiment generates a video or a sound, forexample, by executing a game program or reproducing content in asituation where the game program or the content is stored or recorded onan optical disk. Further, the entertainment apparatus 12 according tothe present embodiment outputs, to the display 14, a video signalrepresenting the video to be generated and an audio signal representingthe sound to be generated.

As depicted, for example, in FIG. 2, the entertainment apparatus 12according to the present embodiment includes a processor 20, a storagesection 22, a communication section 24, an input/output section 26, anda display controller 28.

The processor 20 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) orother program control device that operates in accordance with a programinstalled in the entertainment apparatus 12. The processor 20 accordingto the present embodiment includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) thatdraws an image in a frame buffer in accordance with a graphics commandand data supplied from the CPU.

The storage section 22 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM(Random Access Memory), or other storage element or a hard disk drive.The storage section 22 stores, for example, a program to be executed bythe processor 20. Further, the storage section 22 according to thepresent embodiment is provided with a region of the frame buffer inwhich an image is drawn by the GPU.

The communication section 24 is, for example, a communication interfacesuch as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) module.

The input/output section 26 is an input/output port such as an HDMI(High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark) port or aUSB (Universal Serial Bus) port.

The display controller 28 is a hardware device that, for example,performs image scaling, makes image quality adjustments such as imagecolor conversion, and combines images.

The display 14 according to the present embodiment is, for example, adisplay section of a liquid-crystal display, and used to display, forinstance, a video represented by a video signal outputted from theentertainment apparatus 12. Further, the display 14 according to thepresent embodiment includes a speaker. The speaker outputs a soundrepresented by an audio signal outputted from the entertainmentapparatus 12.

The entertainment apparatus 12 and the display 14 are connected, forexample, through an HDMI cable.

The controller 16 according to the present embodiment is an operationinput apparatus that is used to perform an operation input to theentertainment apparatus 12. The controller 16 enables a user to performvarious operation inputs by pressing a direction key or button on thecontroller 16 or by tilting an operation stick on the controller 16.Subsequently, in the present embodiment, the controller 16 outputs, tothe entertainment apparatus 12, input data corresponding to an operationinput. Further, the controller 16 according to the present embodimentincludes a USB port. Consequently, when connected to the entertainmentapparatus 12 through an USB cable, the controller 16 is able towirelessly output the input data to the entertainment apparatus 12.Furthermore, the controller 16 according to the present embodiment isprovided, for example, with a wireless communication module and able towirelessly output the input data to the entertainment apparatus 12.

In the present embodiment, when, for example, an application program isexecuted by the entertainment apparatus 12 included in the entertainmentsystem 10, a video is generated according to the status of applicationprogram execution. For example, upon executing a game program, theentertainment apparatus 12 generates a video representing the status ofa game play.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawn image 30 thatcorresponds to a frame image included in a video generated by theentertainment apparatus 12. In the present embodiment, the drawn image30 is generated when, for example, the processor 20 executes a gameprogram or other application program. The generated drawn image 30 isthen stored in the region of the frame buffer provided in the storagesection 22.

Subsequently, in the present embodiment, the display controller 28accesses the frame buffer to read the drawn image 30 stored in the framebuffer and generates a display target image 32 illustrated in FIG. 4according to the read drawn image 30.

A display region 34 corresponding to a safe area is depicted in thedisplay target image 32 illustrated in FIG. 4. The safe area is set inthe display 14. In the present embodiment, for example, the displaycontroller 28 not only resizes the drawn image 30 as needed to place itin the display region 34, but also generates the display target image 32by placing pixels having a predetermined color, such as black, in anon-display-target region 36 that is a sash-shaped region outside thedisplay region 34. It should be noted that the drawn image 30 mayalternatively be placed in the display region 34 without being resized.

Subsequently, the display controller 28 outputs the display target image32 to the display 14 through the input/output section 26.

When, for example, an attempt is made to display the drawn image 30depicted in FIG. 3 on the display 14, the edges of the drawn image 30may be positioned outside the visible region of the display 14 dependingon the size of the safe area of the display 14. In reality, the display14 may display, for example, only a part of the drawn image 30, namely,an actual display image.

In the present embodiment, the display target image 32 generated basedon the drawn image 30 appears on the display 14. Therefore, even ifoverscan occurs to display only the actual display image, which is apart of the display target image 32 and placed in the display region 34,the display 14 displays the whole content of the drawn image 30. Aprocess of generating the display target image 32 depicted in FIG. 4 ishereinafter referred to as the autoscaling process.

Functions of the entertainment apparatus 12 and processes performed bythe entertainment apparatus 12 will now be further described by mainlyexplaining about the autoscaling process.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating example functionsimplemented by the entertainment apparatus 12 according to the presentembodiment. It should be noted that the entertainment apparatus 12according to the present embodiment does not need to implement all ofthe functions depicted in FIG. 5, and may implement functions other thanthose depicted in FIG. 5.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the entertainment apparatus 12 functionallyincludes, for example, an image storage section 40, an image acquisitionsection 42, a safe area setting specification section 44, a necessitysetting section 46, an image generation section 48, and a displaycontrol section 50. The image storage section 40 is implemented mainlyby the storage section 22. The image acquisition section 42, the safearea setting specification section 44, and the image generation section48 are implemented mainly by the display controller 28. The necessitysetting section 46 is implemented mainly by the processor 20 and thestorage section 22. The display control section 50 is implemented mainlyby the storage section 22, the input/output section 26, and the displaycontroller 28.

The above functions may be implemented by allowing the processor 20 orthe display controller 28 to execute a program that is installed in theentertainment apparatus 12, which is a computer, and includes commandscorresponding to the above functions. The program may be supplied to theentertainment apparatus 12 through the Internet or through acomputer-readable information storage medium, such as an optical disk, amagnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or a flashmemory.

In the present embodiment, the image storage section 40 stores, forexample, the drawn image 30. An image stored in the region of the framebuffer provided in the storage section 22 corresponds to the drawn image30 to be stored in the image storage section 40. Here, it is assumedthat when, for example, the processor 20 executes an applicationprogram, a new drawn image 30 is recorded at a predetermined frame ratein the frame buffer included in the image storage section 40.

In the present embodiment, the image acquisition section 42 acquires,for example, the drawn image 30 stored in the image storage section 40.In this instance, the image acquisition section 42 acquires, forexample, the drawn image 30 stored in the frame buffer.

In the present embodiment, the safe area setting specification section44 specifies, for example, the setting of a safe area in the display 14.The safe area setting specification section 44 may specify, for example,the setting of the size of the safe area that is to be set based on auser operation. Further, the safe area setting specification section 44may specify the setting of the size of the safe area, for example, inaccordance with display specifications or other information (e.g., EDID(Extended Display Identification DATA)) acquirable from the display 14.

For example, the percentage of an image to be actually displayed on thedisplay 14 relative to the whole image generated by the later-describedimage generation section 48 may be indicated by the setting of the safearea that is specified by the safe area setting specification section44.

In the above instance, for example, when no overscan occurs and thewhole image generated by the image generation section 48 appears on thedisplay 14, the percentage indicated by the safe area setting is 100%.Meanwhile, when the width and height around the center of the image tobe displayed on the display 14 are both 90% of those of the imagegenerated by the image generation section 48, the percentage indicatedby the safe area setting is 90%.

In the present embodiment, the necessity setting section 46 stores, forexample, necessity data that indicates whether or not the autoscalingprocess is necessary. In this instance, if, for example, the value ofthe necessity data is 1, the autoscaling process will be performed. Ifthe value of the necessity data is 0, the autoscaling process will notbe performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the necessity setting section 46sets, for example, the value of the necessity data, which is stored inthe necessity setting section 46, in accordance with a settinginstruction about autoscaling process necessity, which is received fromthe application program. For example, upon receiving, from theapplication program, the setting instruction indicating that autoscalingis necessary, the necessity setting section 46 sets the value of thenecessity data stored in the necessity setting section 46 to 1.Meanwhile, upon receiving, from the application program, the settinginstruction indicating that autoscaling is not necessary, the necessitysetting section 46 sets the value of the necessity data stored in thenecessity setting section 46 to 0.

In the present embodiment, the image generation section 48 generates,for example, the display target image 32 that includes, as a part, thedrawn image 30 sized according to the safe area setting specified by thesafe area setting specification section 44.

For example, the image generation section 48 specifies the size of thedisplay region 34 according to the safe area setting specified by thesafe area setting specification section 44. Then, the image generationsection 48 generates the display target image 32. The generated displaytarget image 32 is obtained by placing the drawn image 30 acquired bythe image acquisition section 42 in the display region 34 having thesame center position as the display target image 32. In the aboveinstance, for example, the image generation section 48 may alternativelygenerate the display target image 32 by resizing the drawn image 30 asneeded to place it in the display region 34 and placing pixels having apredetermined color, such as black, in the non-display-target region 36,which is a sash-shaped region outside the display region 34. It shouldbe noted that the drawn image 30 may alternatively be placed in thedisplay region 34 without being resized. When, for example, thepercentage indicated by the safe area setting is 90%, the imagegeneration section 48 may place, in the display region 34, the drawnimage 30 that is resized to 90% of both the width and height of thedisplay target image 32.

Further, based on an instruction received from the application programby the necessity setting section 46, the image generation section 48exercises control so as to determine whether or not to generate thedisplay target image 32 including, as a part, the drawn image 30 sizedaccording to the safe area setting. For example, when the value of thenecessity data stored in the necessity setting section 46 is 1, theimage generation section 48 performs the autoscaling process. Meanwhile,when the value of the necessity data stored in the necessity settingsection 46 is 0, the image generation section 48 does not perform theautoscaling process.

In the present embodiment, the display control section 50 displays, forexample, the display target image 32 on the display 14.

When, for example, the value of the necessity data stored in thenecessity setting section 46 is 1, the present embodiment performs theautoscaling process as described above. If, in this instance, thepercentage indicated by the safe area setting is 100%, the display 14displays the whole of the display target image 32. Meanwhile, if thepercentage indicated by the safe area setting is less than 100%,overscan occurs, and the display 14 displays the actual display image,which is a part of the display target image 32. For example, the display14 displays only a portion placed in the display region 34 that isincluded in the display target image 32 illustrated in FIG. 4.

Further, when, for example, the value of the necessity data stored inthe necessity setting section 46 is 0 as mentioned above, the presentembodiment does not perform the autoscaling process. In this case, thedisplay 14 displays the whole of the drawn image 30 as the displaytarget image 32.

An example flow of processing repeatedly performed at a predeterminedframe rate by the entertainment apparatus 12 according to the presentembodiment will now be described with reference to the flowchartdepicted in FIG. 6.

First of all, the image acquisition section 42 acquires the drawn image30 in a specific frame that is stored in the image storage section 40(step S101).

Subsequently, the safe area setting specification section 44 confirmsthe value of the necessity data stored in the necessity setting section46 (step 102).

In a case where the value of the necessity data is 0, the imagegeneration section 48 causes the display 14 to display the drawn image30 acquired in step S101 as the display target image 32 (step S103).Upon completion of step S103, processing returns to step S101. In thiscase, the display target image 32 is identical with the drawn image 30.

Meanwhile, in a case where the value of the necessity data is 1, thesafe area setting specification section 44 specifies the safe areasetting (step S104).

Subsequently, the image generation section 48 generates the displaytarget image 32 that includes, as a part, the drawn image 30 that isresized according to the safe area setting specified in step S104 (stepS105).

Next, the display control section 50 causes the display 14 to displaythe display target image 32 generated in step S105 (step S106). Uponcompletion of step S106, processing returns to step S101. In a casewhere overscan occurs, step S106 is performed to allow the display 14 todisplay only a part of the display target image 32 generated in stepS105.

In the above example of processing, steps S101 to S106 are repeatedlyperformed at the predetermined frame rate.

According to the present embodiment, developers of application programs,such as game programs, are able to implement the application programwithout needing to be aware of the safe area.

Further, for example, some game scenes require the autoscaling processto be performed, while other game scenes do not require the autoscalingprocess to be performed. Based on such circumstances, the presentembodiment is configured to enable the developers of applicationprograms to exercise control so as to determine whether or not toperform the autoscaling process as mentioned above in accordance, forexample, with the game scenes.

In the present embodiment, the image storage section 40 may be providedwith regions of a plurality of frame buffers, and each of the framebuffers may store an image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawn image 60 thatcorresponds to a frame image stored in a first frame buffer included inthe image storage section 40. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating anexample of a drawn image 62 that corresponds to a frame image stored ina second frame buffer included in the image storage section 40.

The drawn image 60 depicted in FIG. 7 is a frame image that representsinformation regarding a user interface for a game, such as thedescription of input operations in the game and the information aboutthe status of a character. As depicted in FIG. 7, the drawn image 60 maydepict, for example, two-dimensional objects such as text, graphics, orsymbols. In this instance, for example, an alpha value may be set foreach pixel included in the drawn image 60.

The drawn image 62 depicted in FIG. 8 is, for example, athree-dimensional graphic frame image that is indicative of the playstatus of a game and obtained when a three-dimensional virtual object,such as a game object placed in a three-dimensional virtual space, isviewed from a point of view in the three-dimensional virtual space.

In the above instance, when, for example, the processor 20 executes anapplication program, the first frame buffer may store a new drawn image60 at a predetermined frame rate, and the second frame buffer may storea new drawn image 62 at the predetermined frame rate.

Subsequently, the image acquisition section 42 may, in step S101,acquire the drawn image 60 stored in the first frame buffer and thedrawn image 62 stored in the second frame buffer.

In the above case, the necessity setting section 46 may store, for eachof the frame buffers, the necessity data that indicates the necessity ofthe autoscaling process. For example, the necessity setting section 46may store the necessity data about the first frame buffer and thenecessity data about the second frame buffer.

Further, as mentioned earlier, the necessity setting section 46 may setthe value of the necessity data stored in the necessity setting section46 in accordance with the setting instruction about autoscaling processnecessity, which is received from the application program.

For example, upon receiving, from the application program, the settinginstruction indicating that autoscaling is necessary for the first framebuffer, the necessity setting section 46 may set a value of 1 for thenecessity data about the first frame buffer, which is stored in thenecessity setting section 46. Further, for example, upon receiving, fromthe application program, the setting instruction indicating thatautoscaling is necessary for the second frame buffer, the necessitysetting section 46 may set a value of 1 for the necessity data about thesecond frame buffer, which is stored in the necessity setting section46.

Furthermore, for example, upon receiving, from the application program,the setting instruction indicating that autoscaling is not necessary forthe first frame buffer, the necessity setting section 46 may set a valueof 0 for the necessity data about the first frame buffer, which isstored in the necessity setting section 46. Moreover, for example, uponreceiving, from the application program, the setting instructionindicating that autoscaling is not necessary for the second framebuffer, the necessity setting section 46 may set a value of 0 for thenecessity data about the second frame buffer, which is stored in thenecessity setting section 46.

Subsequently, based on the instruction received from the applicationprogram by the necessity setting section 46, the image generationsection 48 may exercise control so as to determine whether or not toperform the autoscaling process for each of the frame buffers.

Here, let us assume, for example, that the value of the necessity dataabout the first frame buffer and the value of the necessity data aboutthe second frame buffer are both 0. In this case, the image generationsection 48 may generate a display target image 64 a depicted in FIG. 9.The display target image 64 a is obtained by superimposing the drawnimage 60 acquired from the first frame buffer and the drawn image 62acquired from the second frame buffer. The display target image 64 a maybe generated, for example, by performing an alpha blending process basedon the drawn image 60, the alpha value set for each pixel included inthe drawn image 60, and the drawn image 62. Then, the display controlsection 50 may cause the display 14 to display the display target image64 a that is generated in the above manner.

Further, let us assume, for example, that the value of the necessitydata about the first frame buffer is 1 while the value of the necessitydata about the second frame buffer is 0. In this case, the imagegeneration section 48 may generate a display target image 64 b depictedin FIG. 10. The display target image 64 b is obtained by superimposingthe drawn image 60 sized to the safe area setting and the drawn image62. The display target image 64 b may be generated, for example, byperforming the alpha blending process based on the drawn image 60, thealpha value set for each pixel included in the drawn image 60, and thedrawn image 62.

In the above instance, the image generation section 48 may resize thedrawn image 60 acquired from the first frame buffer and place theresized drawn image 60 in a display region 66. Then, the imagegeneration section 48 may generate the display target image 64 b that isobtained, for example, by placing the resized drawn image 60 at thecenter of the display target image 64 b. As depicted in FIG. 10, thedrawn image 60 may be placed in the display target image 64 b and fittedin the display region 66 specified based on the safe area setting.

Subsequently, the display control section 50 may cause the display 14 todisplay the display target image 64 b that is generated in the abovemanner. In a case where overscan occurs in this instance, the display 14displays only a part of the display target image 64 b generated in theabove manner.

Even if overscan occurs, performing the above-described processingproperly displays the information regarding the user interface for agame, which represents two-dimensional objects such as text, graphics,or symbols. Meanwhile, three-dimensional graphics can be prevented fromdeteriorating in image equality because they are not subjected to ascaling process.

Additionally, the present embodiment may be applied topicture-in-picture (PinP) display.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an upper image 70. Theupper image 70 depicted in FIG. 11 is, for example, an image depicting abackground in PinP display.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lower image 72. Thelower image 72 depicted in FIG. 12 is, for example, an image depictingcontent to be embedded in the background in PinP display. Here, it isassumed that the lower image 72 depicted in FIG. 12 is identical withthe drawn image depicted in FIG. 3.

For example, when the processor 20 executes a first application program,the lower image 72, which is a new frame image, is drawn in the firstframe buffer at a predetermined frame rate. Further, when, for example,the processor 20 executes a second application program, the upper image70, which is a new frame image, is drawn in the second frame buffer at apredetermined frame rate.

Moreover, the image storage section 40 stores layout data indicative ofposition and size in a display target image 74 in which the lower image72 is placed. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an exampleof a placement region 76 that is specified, based on the layout data, asthe region where the lower image 72 is placed. In the example of FIG.13, the width and height of the placement region 76 are both 80% ofthose of the display target image 74.

In the above case, the image acquisition section 42 may acquire theupper image 70 stored in the second frame buffer and the lower image 72stored in the first frame buffer. Here, it is assumed that the upperimage 70 depicted in FIG. 11 is acquired from the second frame buffer,and that the lower image 72 depicted in FIG. 12 is acquired from thefirst frame buffer.

Here, if the autoscaling process is not performed in the above instance,a display target image 74 a illustrated in FIG. 14 may be generated. Inthis case, for example, a resized lower image 72 may be placed in theplacement region 76. Further, the display 14 may subsequently displaythe display target image 74 a generated in the above manner.

In the above instance, the display target image 74 a may be generated,for example, by performing the alpha blending process based on the upperimage 70, the alpha value determined based on the layout data, and thelower image 72.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example placement ofthe lower image 72 in the display target image 74 a. As depicted in FIG.15, the lower image 72 may be placed in the placement region 76 in acase where the autoscaling process is not performed. Further, thedisplay target image 74 a may be generated by performing the alphablending process while the alpha value of the upper image 70 in theplacement region 76 is 0 and the alpha value of the upper image 70outside the placement region 76 is 1. In this instance, it is assumedthat the alpha value 0 represents a transparent upper image 70, whereasthe alpha value 1 represents an opaque upper image 70.

Meanwhile, in a case where the autoscaling process is performed, adisplay target image 74 b illustrated in FIG. 16 may be generated.Further, the display target image 74 b generated in this manner may bedisplayed on the display 14. If overscan occurs in this case, thedisplay 14 displays only a part of the display target image 74 b.

In the above instance, for example, the image generation section 48 maygenerate the display target image 74 b by placing the upper image 70 ina display region 78 and placing pixels having a predetermined color,such as black, in a non-display-target region 80, which is a sash-shapedregion outside the display region 78. If the percentage indicated by thesafe area setting is 90% in the above instance, the display region 78 isset to have the same center position as the display target image 74 band sized to 90% of both the width and height of the display targetimage 74 b.

Further, for example, the display target image 74 b may be generated inthe display region 78 by performing the alpha blending process based onthe upper image 70, the alpha value determined based on the layout data,and the lower image 72.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example placement ofthe lower image 72 in the display target image 74 b. As depicted in FIG.17, in a case where the autoscaling process is performed, the lowerimage 72 may be placed in a content region 82 within the placementregion 76, and pixels having a predetermined color, such as black, maybe placed in a sash-shaped region 84 that is positioned outside thecontent region 82 and inside the placement region 76. If, for example,the percentage indicated by the safe area setting is 90% in the aboveinstance, the content region 82 is set to have the same center positionas the placement region 76 and sized to 90% of both the width and heightof the placement region 76.

Further, the display target image 74 b may be generated by performingthe alpha blending process while the alpha value of the upper image 70in the content region 82 is 0 and the alpha value of the upper image 70outside the content region 82 is 1. In this instance, it is assumed asmentioned earlier that the alpha value 0 represents a transparent upperimage 70, whereas the alpha value 1 represents an opaque upper image 70.

As described above, the present embodiment is configured such that, forexample, the image generation section 48 places the lower image 72having a given size at a given position in the display target image 74irrespective of whether or not the autoscaling process is performed. Forexample, in a case where the autoscaling process is not performed, thelower image 72 is placed in the placement region 76. Meanwhile, in acase where the autoscaling process is performed, an image including thelower image 72 as a part is placed in the placement region 76.

Further, depending on whether or not the autoscaling process isperformed, the image generation section 48 changes a region where thepixels of the lower image 72 in the display target image 74 arereflected. For example, in a case where the autoscaling process is notperformed, the pixels of the lower image 72 are reflected in theplacement region 76. Meanwhile, in a case where the autoscaling processis performed, the pixels of the lower image 72 are reflected in thecontent region, which is smaller than the placement region 76.

Performing the above-described processing makes it possible to properlygenerate the display target image 74 based on the safe area setting inPinP display without changing the layout data indicative of the positionand size of an image corresponding to the lower image 72 in the displaytarget image 74.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiment.

Moreover, the foregoing specific character strings and numerical valuesand the specific character strings and numerical values in theaccompanying drawings are merely illustrative and not restrictive, andthe present invention is not limited to such character strings andnumerical values.

1. A display control apparatus comprising: an image acquisition sectionthat acquires an image drawn in a frame buffer by an applicationprogram; a specification section that specifies setting of a safe areain a display section; an image generation section that generates adisplay target image including, as a part, the image sized according tothe setting; and a display control section that causes the displaysection to display the display target image.
 2. The display controlapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation sectiongenerates the display target image that is obtained by superimposing afirst image and a second image, the first image being sized according tothe setting and drawn in a first frame buffer, the second image beingdrawn in a second frame buffer.
 3. The display control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the image generation section exercisescontrol in accordance with an instruction received from the applicationprogram so as to determine whether or not to generate the display targetimage including, as a part, the image sized according to the setting. 4.The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imagegeneration section exercises control in accordance with the receivedinstruction so as to determine whether or not to generate the displaytarget image including, as a part, the image sized according to thesetting, the image generation section generates the display target imagethat is obtained by superimposing a first image and a second image, thefirst image being based on an image drawn in a first frame buffer by afirst application program, the second image being based on an imagedrawn in a second frame buffer by a second application program,irrespective of whether or not to generate the display target imageincluding, as a part, the image sized according to the setting, theimage generation section places the first image having a given size at agiven position in the display target image, and depending on whether ornot to generate the display target image including, as a part, the imagesized according to the setting, the image generation section changes aregion where pixels of the first image in the display target image arereflected.
 5. A display control method comprising: acquiring an imagethat is drawn in a frame buffer by an application program; specifyingsetting of a safe area in a display section; generating a display targetimage that includes, as a part, the image sized according to thesetting; and causing the display section to display the display targetimage.
 6. A program for a computer, comprising: by an image acquisitionsection, acquiring an image that is drawn in a frame buffer by anapplication program; by a specification section, specifying setting of asafe area in a display section; by an image generation section,generating a display target image that includes, as a part, the imagesized according to the setting; and by a display control section,causing the display section to display the display target image.